Best Stainless Steel Food Steamers

Updated April 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Farberware 3-Quart Covered Stack-n-Steam Sauce Pot and Steamer
Farberware
3-Quart Covered Stack-n-Steam Sauce Pot and Steamer
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Bottom Line

A durable 2-in-1 pot that can be used as a three-quart sauce pot or as a steamer.

Pros

Constructed from polished stainless steel with a thick aluminum core for even heating. Durable build. Use it as a steamer or as a three-quart pot to boil, heat, or simmer. Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Comfortable phenolic handles.

Cons

Some found the steamer smaller than they expected. The handles can get hot, to the point of smelling toxic.

Best Bang for the Buck
TOPOKO Vegetable Steamer Basket
TOPOKO
Vegetable Steamer Basket
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Bottom Line

While not the most durable option, this steamer and strainer is inexpensive and easy to use.

Pros

Can be used with a pressure cooker or any pot that is eight inches in diameter or greater. Fully collapsible. Made from premium stainless steel. Nine inches total diameter when opened, with one-inch legs. Center ring for safely lifting it out of pots. Decent price. Easy to use.

Cons

Some reports of rusting after a few months or falling apart.

Cook N Home 8-Quart Pasta Cooker Steamer
Cook N Home
8-Quart Pasta Cooker Steamer
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Bottom Line

A sturdy and versatile steamer and pasta cooker set, although you may have to put some time into cleaning it well before use.

Pros

Complete set includes an eight-quart stockpot, a pasta insert, a steamer insert, and a glass lid. Lid is made from tempered glass and has a steam vent. All pieces are dishwasher-safe. Sturdy polished stainless steel construction with an aluminum disc insert for even heating.

Cons

Some reports that this option comes covered with a gray production residue that is hard to wash off.

The Stackable Steamer Stackable Steamer
The Stackable Steamer
Stackable Steamer
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Bottom Line

You can cook multiple items at once with this stackable steaming solution, but set aside a little extra time to do so.

Pros

Works well for pressure cookers, pots ranging from five to seven quarts, and multipots. Two levels let you cook two different foods simultaneously. Good for baking, reheating, and steaming. Dishwasher-safe. Comes with a silicone handling mat and an interlocking handle.

Cons

Can take longer to cook food than other steamers.

Circulon Universal Steamer
Circulon
Universal Steamer
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Bottom Line

This steamer is lightweight, easy to clean, and works with a wide array of pots but does not come with one itself.

Pros

Universal steamer with lid that can fit on pots that are two to four quarts. Works with both straight-sided and tulip-shaped pots. Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. Cooks food quickly. Lightweight but durable. Oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cons

You'll need to provide your own pot. Some felt that this steamer was smaller than expected.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

38 Models Considered
7 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
473 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

If you want to create healthy entrees and side dishes, a stainless steel food steamer is an excellent addition to your kitchen. Stainless steel food steamers can either be electric and standalone or stovetop models. The stovetop variety comes in either a foldable/collapse design that fits inside a pot, or a perforated metal pan that fits inside another pan. Some steamers come with a second pan while others are designed to fit within a pan you already own. A few insertable models can be used in a pan, pressure cooker, or multifunction cooker (like an Instant Pot). And, to cut down on cleaning time, look for models that are dishwasher safe.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
Cuisinart
Classic Stainless Steel 3-Piece 3-Quart Steamer Set
Oxo
Stainless Steel Steamer w/ Extendable Handle
Consevisen
Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
Consevisen
Stainless Steel Collapsible Vegetable Steamer
Sunsella
Stainless Steel Vegetable Steamer
The team that worked on this review
  • Melinda
    Melinda
    Web Producer
  • Rich
    Rich
    Writer
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Farberware

3-Quart Covered Stack-n-Steam Sauce Pot and Steamer

Farberware

3-Quart Covered Stack-n-Steam Sauce Pot and Steamer

A durable 2-in-1 pot that can be used as a three-quart sauce pot or as a steamer.
$35
×

TOPOKO

Vegetable Steamer Basket

TOPOKO

Vegetable Steamer Basket

While not the most durable option, this steamer and strainer is inexpensive and easy to use.
$9
×

Cook N Home

8-Quart Pasta Cooker Steamer

Cook N Home

8-Quart Pasta Cooker Steamer

A sturdy and versatile steamer and pasta cooker set, although you may have to put some time into cleaning it well before use.
$39
×

The Stackable Steamer

Stackable Steamer

The Stackable Steamer

Stackable Steamer

You can cook multiple items at once with this stackable steaming solution, but set aside a little extra time to do so.
$24
×

Circulon

Universal Steamer

Circulon

Universal Steamer

This steamer is lightweight, easy to clean, and works with a wide array of pots but does not come with one itself.
$26

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